The Emerging Artist

Where Every Voice Matters

By Danielle Torry

At Art Box Studios, “emerging” is not a label—it’s a beginning.

Our Emerging Artist Program serves emerging and underrepresented artists—turning first chances

into first chapters with real stages and walls, studio-approved mentorship, and a supportive audience

that celebrates both process and final product. On any given night, music, henna, spoken word, and

painting share the same floor—proof that this cultural hub is where every voice matters.

Alexis Pinkney — Guitar & Voice

Front and center is guitarist–vocalist Alexis Pinkney, a storyteller who plays like a conversation—

part confessional, part groove. Ear-trained and instinctive, she writes originals and reshapes favorites

on the fly, letting a riff stretch because the room smiles. Her nimble acoustic work threads through

warm, soulful vocals; between songs she folds in quick notes about process and inspiration, inviting

the audience into the making. What’s emerging is a signature St. Augustine sound—welcoming,

honest, and ready for bigger stages.

Mark Rowan — Spoken Word, Illustration & Painting

Artist first, mic second—Mark Rowan brings the studio to the stage. As Art Box Studios’ spoken

word host, he fosters an open, inclusive space where every voice can rise. On the canvas, his practice

spans inked figures, layered mixed-media, and small-format studies—bold linework, muted washes,

and fragments of text that echo the cadence of his poems. Faces emerge from collage, gestures

repeat like refrains, and textures carry the weight of lived moments. That same honesty lives in his

performance; his vulnerable presence gives others permission to speak from the deepest parts of

themselves.

Lissette “Lissi” Vázquez — Henna, Illustration & Painting

Lissi turns the evening into a wearable gallery. “Ink the moment, wear the story” isn’t a slogan here;

it’s how she works—freehand, in flow, responding to music, mood, and memory. Her repertoire

ranges from delicate florals and mandalas to bold geometric bands and personal symbols. Guests

leave with living artworks that evolve over days, extending the event beyond the gallery doors. Lissi

is also an illustrator and painter, developing pattern-rich works on paper and canvas that expand her

henna motifs into lasting pieces. Within the program, she’s documenting patterns, refining setup for

live events, exploring collaborative pieces, and teaching gentle entry points for first-time makers.

She shows how quickly inspiration travels when mediums share the same floor.

What ties it all together is simple: open doors instead of barriers, constructive mentorship, and cross-

disciplinary collaboration that keeps ideas moving. Artists get real chances on real stages; audiences

discover new favorites; and St. Augustine’s creative pulse stays strong.

Patrons and partners can champion the next wave by showing up, commissioning work, and

supporting an artist through supplies and donations—because here, every voice matters, and every

beginning deserves a chance. Our sincere thanks to the St. Johns Cultural Council and the

Florida Division of Arts & Culture for supporting this program through the State of the Arts Grant—

funded by the specialty license plate program—expanding access to the arts in our community.

If you’re an emerging musician, painter, poet, or creator, send a short bio, links or

samples, and a note on what you’d like to present to inspired@artbox-137.com

"Loving Our Town" October 4, 2025